Friday, October 25, 2013

Sputnik chandeliers are the most quintessentially mid-century light fixtures to exist. The original Sputnik-style chandeliers were created by Gino Sarfatti in 1954 and since, an endless series of copy cats have been created. Original Sarfatti chandeliers can run upwards of $5,000 but even present day knockoffs like the Zuo Sapphire are pricey! Here are my favorite Sputnik-inspired pendants for less than 300 bucks!

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Collections often get tucked away- hidden in boxes in closets to be forgotten about- but when collections are displayed in a thoughtful way, they can transform into beautiful one-of-a-kind works of art!

Try hanging larger, three-dimensional items directly on the wall:

Smaller items, when framed, look more substantial.

Tiny items can be photographed and enlarged for a bigger impact.

Shadow boxes are great for displaying small three-dimensional items together.

But my favorite way to display collections in inside glass-top tables- what a conversation piece! (and easy to change as the mood strikes you!)

Friday, October 18, 2013

A fabric bed frame can help take your mattress from basic to beautiful, but they are costly. A headboard is a great budget option to make your bed look more substantial. The curved back headboard with nail button details is an elegant choice:

Monday, October 14, 2013

Chair rails and wainscoting are a great way to add depth and interest to a room- but they can also come with a hefty expense if you aren't comfortable installing them yourself. Two tone walls are a cool and interesting way to mimic this look for less. Here are my favorites:

The Marais A Side Chair is a great example of a beautiful (albeit, trendy), industrial-style chair. It comes in nearly 30 different colors/ finishes and has an optional padded seat for an extra $35. Assuming they'll be put to use in a dining room, you'll need at least four- that's $620!

It can be tough to fork over that kind of money on a popular trend- Get the look for less with these three alternatives, each for under $55 per chair!

Thursday, October 10, 2013

Well, you have to go to a baby shower.. and you HAVE to bring a book ("library showers" are all the rage)... So the mom-to-be isn't swimming in copies of Pat the Bunny and Goodnight Moon, here are my picks for coolest books for the little ones:

Alexander Girard Color Board Book $16Alexander Girard was a 20th century designerwho dabbled in textile design, graphic design, typography, illustration, furniture design, interior design, product design, and architecture. This book features super cool vintage illustrations in vivid colors.I Can Do it Myself by Stephen Krensky $5.85Adorable board book about toddler independence. I love the the retro-style, screen-printed illustrations and cute, rhyming text. The others in this set are just as cute!Never Mind Your Ps and Qs- Here's the Punk Alphabet by Paul McNeil and Barry Divola $22Each letter of the alphabet is brought to life by elements of punk rock, including bands, fashions, and style. My favorite line: "M is for mohawk, a silly hairdo. It has lots of points, but it has no point, too."(Warning: See the warning. Though awesome, this book is not for everyone.)Little Helpers by Green Start $8.99This earth-friendly series is made from 98% post consumer recycled materials and printed with eco-friendly inks. This book is so sweet and encourages children to take care of their earth.Paul Thurlby's Alphabet $12.98A is for awesome. Graphic artist Paul Thurlby presents a stunning alphabet that helps to make the shape of each letter memorable.Numbers by Orla Kiely $7.98Orla Kiely is world-famous fashion designer. In this set she uses iconic shapes and patterns to teach about colors, shapes, and numbers. Mama and Baby by Amy Pixton $4.45Indestructibles are chew-proof, rip-proof, non-toxic and 100% washable. A must-have for those annihilating toddler years.Babylit Set $49 (or around $8/ea on Amazon)Introduces classic literature to little ones. Included: Jane Eyre, Pride & Prejudice, Romeo & Juliet, etc. Simple stories, bright colors, bold illustrations.Faces by David Goodman $13.96Each page of this book shows different and creative ways of making faces: printing, collage, sculpture, etc. Plus, new details are revealed by lifting flaps, looking through holes, or turning the book upside down.

Monday, October 7, 2013

Large-scale art can make a huge impact in rooms, but it also usually has a huge impact on your wallet. With halftone printing, black and white imagery has a cool, graphic effect and has made large-scale prints easily affordable.

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Reproduction
mid-century modern sofas can often be just as expensive as their vintage
counterparts! This DWR sofa with tax and shipping is over $3,800! Here are some great alternatives to this clean, modern couch:

The Clare Sofa from Macy's is a great alternative! It's currently on sale for $599, or $798 if you want custom colors. I'm told that these sale prices run 51 weeks out of the year (they take 1 week off so it can still technically be considered a "sale"), so don't think these prices are going anywhere anytime soon.

Plus, for under $200 ($159 or $189, respectively) you can get a 7 year fabric and structural protection plan through Macy's. They provide a furniture care kit to help remove stains, in-home repair if the kit doesn't work, and furniture replacement if repair is unsuccessful. Plus, if you never use the service in 7 years, you get your money back via credit towards your next furniture purchase! Amazing!

My review: I've had the Clare Sofa for over 5 years and it's held up amazingly! I've only needed the stain repair kit once (most stains come out with water- the fabric is awesome), the cushions are still full, and the fabric has only pilled a bit on one arm rest.